County helps promote ‘Pooches for the Planet’

They say that if you need a friend in Washington, get a dog, but if you're doing well in the friend department - and not just on Facebook - and you want a four-legged companion, Manatee County Animal Services and the Humane Society of Manatee County can help you.

Adopt a dog from either agency from August through October and you'll get a free "Pooches for the Planet" adoption kit with pet information and goodies. The promotion is part of an environmental campaign sponsored by the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay Estuary Programs.

Pet waste is a significant source of nutrients and fecal coliform bacteria entering Sarasota and Tampa bays, according to a press release from the county. Approximately 26 tons of pet waste is deposited on the ground in Sarasota and Manatee counties every day. This dog waste does not stay on the grass but is washed down storm drains and carried -- untreated -- to the closest waterway when it rains.  

Pet waste is a threat to public health and water quality. Harmful bacteria that reach water sources can make people ill, and pet waste also injects excessive nutrients into bays, which lead to algae blooms that rob the water of oxygen needed to support fish and other marine life.

"Our partnership with the estuary by programs to promote 'Pouches for the Planet' will prove beneficial not only as an environmental awareness program, but to assist with our adoption program as well," said Kris Weiskopf, the chief of Manatee County Animal Services.  

The estuary programs hope to encourage responsible pet ownership through a three-month promotion with area animal shelters.

The reusable shopping bag pet adopters receive will be filled with valuable goodies, including:

• A "Bags on Board" pet waste bag dispenser that clips to a leash
• A "Photo Pal" magnet
• A listing of Manatee County dog parks
• An immunization schedule card
• Discount coupons for a variety of pet services, such as grooming and pet sitting
• Treats, toys and other items donated by local and national pet care companies

The first five owners who adopt a dog at participating area animal shelters on Aug. 1 will receive special prizes.

"We're very excited about bringing the Pooches for the Planet pet waste education campaign to the area" said Julia Burch, outreach coordinator for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. "It's a win-win for everyone involved, Sarasota and Tampa Bay have improved water quality and deserving shelter dogs find good homes. We all need good news in these tough economic times."

The Pooches for the Planet campaign is co-sponsored by Whole Foods Market Petco and Simply Green Solutions LLC.

For more information about Pooches for the Planet, visit this Web site or this one.

To watch a video about how pet waste pollutes our waterways, see this site.

Manatee County Animal Services is located at 305 25th St. W. in Palmetto. For more information about Animal Services, call (941) 742-5933 or search for Animal Services at the county Web site.